Detroit Lions pass word: Broyles hurt, Young booted

Here’s something you’ll probably never see again: Detroit Lions wide receiver Titus Young (16) leaps into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an exhibition game in Baltimore. Young was booted off the team Monday. (AP Photo)

ALLEN PARK — Depth at wide receiver didn’t seem to be an issue for the Detroit Lions. Then Nate Burleson was lost for the season with a broken leg six weeks ago.

Now the Lions are down two more.

Rookie Ryan Broyles is done for the season after tearing his ACL on his right knee in Sunday’s 35-33 loss to the Colts.

Coach Jim Schwartz said on Monday that the troubled Titus Young is no longer with the team, although an official roster move has not been made.

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Broyles will make it back next season following reconstructive surgery. He underwent the same ACL surgery on his left knee a little more than a year ago.

“Ryan is a real hard-working player. He did a great job with his rehab last time. It will be a bump in the road for him, but it won’t be something he can’t overcome,’’ coach Jim Schwartz said.

Broyles, a second-round pick, had his best game against the Texans on Thanksgiving with six catches for 126 yards, a 21-yard per catch average.

“He’s finally started to get into his own little groove as a player, his confidence was starting to come through a little for him,’’ wide receiver Mike Thomas said. “It’s unfortunate that it kind of went down that way for him.’’

Titus Young controlled his own future. Apparently, he did not meet the standards set by Schwartz.

“Titus will not be part of our wide receiver mix, he’s not with the team right now. If I have any further updates I’ll let you know,’’ Schwartz said on Monday.

Young was sent home on Nov. 19 after he reportedly lined up in the wrong spot more than once during the Nov. 18 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

He was inactive for the Thanksgiving game and returned to practice last week. However, he was inactive Sunday against the Colts and was told by Schwartz to stay away from Ford Field.

Schwartz would not be specific, but apparently Young did not do his part.

“I certainly believe in second chances there’s no greater story in the NFL or professional sports than redemption and people that overcome situations,’’ Schwartz said.

“We all hold out hope that guys can do that. But you need to make the most of the opportunities that you have. When you have an issue or something that occurs, when you get a second chance and you’re welcomed back you have to do everything to take advantage of that opportunity. In this case that didn’t happen,’’ Schwartz added.

Left guard Rob Sims had tried to help Young, giving him advice before the Oct. 28 Seattle game to take advantage of his opportunity. It worked for that one game when Young had nine catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

“It feels like we have such heavy hearts because there’s so much going on,’’ Sims said. “A guy like Titus, a guy I thought was trying to get where he needed to go — in Bible studies that kind of thing. For it to flip a couple weeks later, it’s hard. He was trying, he was really trying.’’

Sims wouldn’t be specific about what flipped. He said it would stay in the locker room.

“I could understand why, I think they made a decision they had to make. I’m sure it was a hard decision,’’ Sims said. “I’m sure it was hard for Titus and his family. I think it’s hard all the way around. The guy was trying, he was really trying.’’

Just not hard enough when it counted.

Schwartz said they will be looking to add wide receivers to the roster.

They traded for Mike Thomas on Oct. 31. He will likely see his role increase. He had two catches for 17 yards and a touchdown against the Texans. On Sunday he was targeted four times, had one catch for minus-1 yard and had one drop.

“Got to not do what I did last game and let that get away from me,’’ Thomas said. “I’m excited about it, get back to work, hone in on the details. Put myself in the position to make the plays that are given me and basically do what I’m supposed to do. Next man up.’’

The Lions signed wide receiver Brian Robiskie on Oct. 24, but he has not had a catch in the two games he has been active.

Kris Durham, currently on the Lions practice squad, played with Matthew Stafford for three seasons at Georgia. Durham was drafted in 2011 by the Seattle Seahawks and played in three games before being placed on injured reserve. He was released by the Seahawks after training camp and signed to the Lions practice squad on Sept. 2.